Can’t decide between the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus? Here are some tips

Above: The iPhone 6 has a 4.7 inch screen, while the iPhone 6 Plus has a 5.5 inch screen.

Image Credit: Mark Sullivan/VentureBeat

It’s iPhone pre-order night and confusion reigns across the land.

As Apple kicks off iPhone 6 and 6 Plus pre-orders in just a few hours (12 a.m. Pacific on Friday), iPhone users are faced with something strange and new: An actual decision. This year marks the first time Apple is releasing two new flagship devices (last year’s iPhone 5C was notably a step down from the iPhone 5S), and the iPhone faithful seem to be wrestling with the decision.

Should you go big with the iPhone 6 Plus and get a bigger display, a camera with optical image stabilization, and vastly superior battery life? Or should comfort and one-handed use take precedence with the iPhone 6?

It’s an especially tough decision because many buyers, especially those who have only stuck with iPhones, may not really understand just how big the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus actually is. And if you miss the first round of pre-orders, you likely won’t see a new iPhone until long after their September 19 release date. (You can also forget about getting a replacement easily if you want to return your iPhone 6.)

So, as someone who’s tested plenty of smartphones, including phablets like Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 and LG’s G3, I’d like to offer a bit of advice. But first, if you really want to get a sense of how the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus compare to each other (especially if you wear skinny jeans), check out this great video from Tested:

Here are a few points to consider as you weigh your next iPhone choices:

Have small hands? Unless you’re used to big screen phones, it may be too tough to adjust. Get the iPhone 6.

Do you already have trouble fitting current iPhones into your skinny jeans? Get the iPhone 6.

Do you need to use your phone with one hand a lot? Get the iPhone 6. (The 6 plus includes a special mode for one-handed use, but it seems like a clunky fix to me.)

Do you take your phone with you while exercising? Get the iPhone 6.

Is battery life the most important factor to you? Get the iPhone 6 Plus. (Alternatively, get the iPhone 6 and a portable battery pack.)

Do you need the best possible camera? Get the iPhone 6 Plus. It marks the first time Apple has offered optical image stabilization in its cameras, which helps reduce shakiness in photos and lets you take better photos in low light. (This is something some Android phones and even Windows Phones have offered for years.)

Do you watch a lot of movies on your phone? Get the iPhone 6 Plus.

Have you made fun of Android-toting friends for their gigantic screens? Get the iPhone 6 (or swallow your shame and get the 6 Plus).

Apple designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The company's best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad. Apple software includes t... read more »